Best Blu-ray/DVD player for under $800?



Lexi[CON] BD-30, I mean Oppo BDP-83... I kid, I kid.

Seriously, from my list below, which Blu-ray player do you think would offer the best BD picture quality with a 1080p plasma via HDMI, as well as the best possible rendition (upscaling) of SD DVD's? Audio is not such a concern as I only use the supplied L&R speakers at this time.

The list:

Denon DBP-2010CI
Marantz BD7004
Oppo BD-83
Anthem BLX 200
Pioneer Elite BDP-05FD

and just to mix it up;

PS3

Note: The Oppo is the obvious choice for many because of price, but consider the other BDP's as "open-box" or "preowned/demo" priced for comparisons sake. I won't be paying full retail.
The PS3 is thrown in because many seem to think it ranks up there with most mass-consumer BDP's on the market. I might agree with that at it's price and below, but not against $800 stand-alone BDP's. The plus side: games, as well as access to Netflix and Amazon VOD.
Sony, LG, Panasonic, and the like just don't seem relevant IMHO. At first, I considered buying some subpar <$200 BDP, but I can't be that cheap. Not with a 1080p plasma. What's the point. I've tried those lighter-then-paper weight DVD players and the picture quality was very poor. But then again, how can they compare to the only other DVD player I've owned - Meridian G98 AH. I just can't justify, nor afford, spending that much again on a component used solely for playing DVD's, as incredible as it was. Maybe when they make something similar for BD playback in the $2500 and less range.
I also consider buying a higher-end discontinued model (MSRP $2K, now discounted to less then $1K), but with how fast these products become obsolete (no network/ethernet,..), I'd rather get a current model.
And as mentioned above, I'd like having access to Netflix, Amazon VOD,... as well, but unfortunately only the subpar $200 players seem to offer this feature.
There is also one detail with a few of the BDP's in my list that bothers me; the small, cheap, two-prong AC input. Why?! It makes no sense on a $800 player. That can always be upgraded though.

~
sakahara

Showing 3 responses by bacardi

I have a PS3 at the moment with a S.R Tesla T2 active power cord that bumps quality to a higher level.

I do want to jump to a higher designated BDP for theater listening. I also want a player that you can utilize your own power cord. I feel it is absolutely beneficial to boosting every aspect of quality(audio&video) if chosen rite.

I did research the marantz units and found that they used the cheezy pre corded inlet on players almost all the way up to the 2nd top end unit.. As opposed to the Oppo/SE model, the 15amp IEC inlet is used on they're $500/$800 units...Thumbs up to Oppo. Samsung doesn't use them at all so no power cord enhancement is useable. The Pioneer 09 model does have it for a $2200 new / $1300 used price tag. The Denon units have them in higher models above the $2000 range just like the Marantz units.

If you believe that a custom power cord justifies a huge quality enhancement, then having that flexibility in a Blu Ray player will make for a better-than theater-like viewing experience for audio&video. The quality of player you buy will only get better....

That said, I feel the Oppo 83 or SE model with a custom power cord would be best bang for your buck BDP so far. Even with a S.R T2 power (used $400) cord equalling $900. Does anyone have a suggestion for a player otherwise???

Regards Bacardi

Onkyo Pro SC 885 Reon HQV processor or Oppo BDP SE Anchor bay processor for movies via analogue ins??? I am at the moment ready to buy an Oppo 83SE and put aside my PS3(piano black version) and hope to gain a performance level using the bistream for the lossless audio formats. Should I use the Hdmi and use the Onkyo or the analogue and use the Oppo SE. Are there more benefits of the SE version or should I just get the regular 83??

A/V solutions explained that the oppo 83SE will better the HQV Reon through analogue for movie watching and the regular 83 too. But I have read other forums stating that the Reon HQV betters the Anchor Bay. So I am a little in the middle of the fence.

Is there any specs pertaining to the two processor chips that can decifer the better qualities between them???

Regards Bacardi
I just ordered an Oppo SE version arriving tomorrow. I am going to run 7.1 analogue for movies and analogue for music. Any suggestions on some rca's for all. I have all S.R Tesla interconnects, biwire speaker wire & power cords.

I am running a Onkyo Pro SC 885 and a Samsung 58" 850 series plasma..

Regards Bacardi